Pyramid bottle with latching mechanism

ABSTRACT

A pyramidal receptacle includes a planar base. A body portion includes separated angled members connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled members extend from a top edge to a bottom edge. The body portion is coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge. A cap portion includes separated angled walls connected to each other at lateral edges and extends to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled walls extend from the apex to a lower edge. The lower edge includes slide rails formed thereon. The top edge of at least two opposing separated angled walls includes guide channels formed thereon. The slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and the proximal end of the slide rail including a guide block formed thereon which is received in the guide channels and is moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bottle and latching mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various receptacles may include latches to lock and release portions of the receptacles. Receptacles may also be shaped to have various shapes and forms for design aesthetics and design appea

It would be desire able to have a pyramid shaped receptacle that includes a latching mechanism that is easy to actuate and allow a cap or top of the receptacle to be moved between locked and unlocked positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is disclosed a pyramidal receptacle that includes a planar base. A body portion includes separated angled members including opposing front and rear members and opposing side members. The opposing front and rear members and opposing side members are connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior. The opposing front and rear members and opposing side members extending from a top edge to a bottom edge. The body portion is coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge. A cap portion includes separated angled walls including opposing front and rear walls and opposing side walls. The opposing front and rear walls and opposing side walls are connected to each other at lateral edges and extend to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior. The opposing front and rear walls and opposing side walls extend from the apex to a lower edge. The lower edge includes slide rails formed thereon. The top edge of opposing side members include guide channels formed thereon on an interior surface of the opposing side members. The slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and include a downwardly extending member terminating at an orthogonal flange. The proximal end of the slide rail includes a guide block formed thereon which is received in the guide channels and is moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions.

In another aspect, there is disclosed there is disclosed a pyramidal receptacle that includes a planar base. A body portion includes separated angled members connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled members extend from a top edge to a bottom edge. The body portion is coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge. A cap portion includes separated angled walls connected to each other at lateral edges and extends to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled walls extend from the apex to a lower edge. The lower edge includes slide rails formed thereon. The top edge of at least two opposing separated angled walls includes guide channels formed thereon. The slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and the proximal end of the slide rail including a guide block formed thereon which is received in the guide channels and is moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions.

In a further aspect there is disclosed, pyramidal receptacle that includes a planar base. A body portion includes separated angled members connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled members extend from a top edge to a bottom edge. The body portion is coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge. The top edge of at least two of the opposing separated angled members includes at least one latch member formed thereon. The latch member includes a slide member attached to an interior surface of the angled members. The slide member extends from a proximal to a distal end. The distal end includes a flexible angled latch finger formed thereon. A cap portion includes separated angled walls connected to each other at lateral edges and extends to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled walls extend from the apex to a lower edge. The lower edge includes slide rails formed thereon. The top edge of at least two opposing separated angled walls includes guide channels formed thereon. The slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and the proximal end of the slide rail includes a guide block formed thereon which is received in the guide channels and is moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions. The slide member slidingly engaging the slide rails when moved between locked and unlocked positions and the angled latch finger releasably engages the slide rails of the cap portion when the cap portion is moved between locked and unlocked positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pyramid bottle in a latched state;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pyramid bottle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pyramid bottle detailing movement of a top cap;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the pyramid bottle detailing the guide channel and guide;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the pyramid bottle in a latched state;

FIG. 5B is an expanded view of the latch mechanism being actuated from a latched state;

FIG. 5C is an expanded view of the latch mechanism in a partially latched state;

FIG. 5D is an expanded view of the latch mechanism being actuated from a partially latched state;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a top cap;

FIG. 7 is perspective view of one side and a front of the body portion;

FIG. 8 is perspective view of another side and a front of the body portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures there is shown a pyramidal receptacle 10 that may be formed of plastic and may be molded to the desired shape and specifications as will be described below. The pyramidal receptacle 10 includes a planar base 12. The pyramidal receptacle 10 also includes a body portion 14. The body portion 14 including separated angled members 16 connected to each other at lateral edges 18 defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled members 16 extending from a top edge 20 to a bottom edge 22.

The body portion 14 is coupled to the planar base 12 at the bottom edge 22. A cap portion 24 includes separated angled walls 26 connected to each other at lateral edges 28 and extend to an apex 30 defining a pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled walls 26 extend from the apex 30 to a lower edge 32. The lower edge 32 includes slide rails 34 formed thereon.

The top edge 22 of at least two opposing separated angled members 16 includes guide channels 36 formed thereon. The slide rails 34 extend from proximal to distal ends 38, 40 and the proximal end 38 of the slide rail 34 includes a guide block 42 formed thereon received in the guide channels 36 and moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7-8 the body portion 14 includes separated angled members 16 connected to each other at lateral edges 18 defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled members 16 may include opposing front and rear members 44, 46 and opposing side members 48, 50. The opposing front and rear members 44, 46 and opposing side members 48, 50 extend from a top edge 20 to a bottom edge 22. The top edge 20 of opposing side members 48, 50 includes at least one latch member 52 attached to the interior surface 54 of the opposing side members 48, 50. In the depicted embodiments two latch members 52 are attached to the interior surface 54 of the opposing side members 48, 50. The latch members 52 include a slide member 56 attached to the interior surface 54. The slide member 56 slidingly engages the slide rails 34 when moved between locked and unlocked positions. The slide member 56 extends from a proximal 58 to a distal end 60, the distal end 60 includes a flexible angled latch finger 62 formed thereon that releasably engages the slide rails 34 of the cap portion 24 when the cap portion 24 is moved between locked and unlocked positions as will be described in more detail below.

A cap portion 24 includes separated angled walls 26 connected to each other at lateral edges 28 and extend to an apex 30 defining a pyramid having a hollow interior. The separated angled walls may include opposing front and rear walls 64, 66 and opposing side walls 68, 70 extending from the apex 30 to the lower edge 32. The lower edge 32 includes the slide rails 34. The slide rails 34 extend from proximal to distal ends 38, 40 and the proximal end 38 of the slide rail 34 includes a guide block 42 formed thereon received in the guide channels 36 and moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions. The slide rails 34 may include a downwardly extending member 72 terminating at an orthogonal flange 74. The flange 74 and guide block 42 travel in the guide channels 36 between the lock and unlocked positions as will be described in more detail below.

The cap portion 24 includes a front wall 64 that includes a surface extension 76 formed on the lower edge 32. The surface extension 76 is received in a cut out notch 78 formed in the front member when the cap portion 24 is in the locked position.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the base 12 includes a lip 80 extending about a periphery of the base 12. The bottom edges 22 of the opposing front and rear members 44, 46 and opposing side members 48, 50 include a connection notch 82 formed thereon that receives the lip 80 of the base 12 to couple the base 12 to the body portion 14.

As described above, the cap portion 24 is moveable between locked and unlocked positions. The cap portion 24 may be moved laterally in a direction as shown by arrow A in FIG. 3 and in an opposing direction opposite to arrow A. In use, the body portion 14 may have various objects stored in the hollow interior. The cap portion 24 may be joined with the body portion 14 to form a sealed receptacle. As shown in FIG. 4, the cap portion 14 with the slide rails 34 and guide block 42 may be inserted into the guide channels 36 and moved laterally. As the cap portion 24 is moved laterally, the lower surface of the slide rails 34 slides upon the upper surface of the slide member 56 of the latch members 52 until the cap portion is in a locked position.

The locked position may be with respect to either of the latch members 52 of the body portion 14 and may be described as first and second locked positions. In the first locked position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the guide block 42 is positioned laterally beyond the angled latch finger 62 and a posterior surface 84 of the guide block 42 contacts the angled finger 62 preventing lateral movement of the cap portion 24 relative to the body portion 14 in an unlocking direction as denoted by the arrow A in FIGS. 3 and 5B. The cap portion 24 includes a front wall 64 that includes a surface extension 76 formed on the lower edge 32. The surface extension 76 is received in the cut out notch 78 formed in the front member 44 when the cap portion 24 such that the front wall 64 is flush with the front member 44.

To move the cap member 24 toward the unlocked position in the direction denoted by arrow A, a downward force is applied to the cap portion as denoted by the direction arrow B. The downward force flexes the angled latch fingers 62 such that the posterior surface 84 of the guide blocks 42 does not engage the angled finger 62 allowing lateral movement of the cap portion 24 relative to the body portion 14 as denoted in FIG. 5B. The cap portion 24 may be moved laterally until the guide portion 42 contacts the angled finger 62 of the next latch member 52, as shown in FIG. 5C. Again application of the downward force to the cap portion 24 as denoted by the direction arrow B flexes the angled latch fingers 62 such that the posterior surface 84 of the guide block 42 does not engage the angled finger 62 allowing continued lateral movement of the cap portion 24 relative to the body portion 14 as denoted in FIG. 5D.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. 

1. A pyramidal receptacle comprising: a planar base; a body portion including separated angled members including opposing front and rear members and opposing side members, the opposing front and rear members and opposing side members connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior the opposing front and rear members and opposing side members extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the body portion coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge, a cap portion including separated angled walls including opposing front and rear walls and opposing side walls, the opposing front and rear walls and opposing side walls connected to each other at lateral edges and extending to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior, the opposing front and rear walls and opposing side walls extending from the apex to a lower edge, the lower edge including slide rails formed thereon; wherein the top edge of opposing side members includes guide channels formed thereon on an interior surface of the opposing side members, wherein the slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and include a downwardly extending member terminating at an orthogonal flange, the proximal end of the slide rail including a guide block formed thereon received in the guide channels and moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions.
 2. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 1 wherein the top edge of opposing side members includes at least one latch member attached to the interior surface of the opposing side members, the latch member including a slide member attached to the interior surface, the slide member slidingly engaging the slide rails when moved between locked and unlocked positions, the slide member extending from a proximal to a distal end, the distal end including a flexible angled latch finger formed thereon that releasably engages the slide rails of the cap portion when the cap portion is moved between locked and unlocked positions.
 3. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 2 wherein in the locked position the guide block is positioned laterally beyond the angled latch finger and a posterior surface of the guide block contacts the angled finger preventing lateral movement of the cap portion relative to the body portion in an unlocking direction.
 4. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 3 wherein in the locked position upon application of a downward force flexing the angled latch finger the posterior surface of the guide blocks does not engage the angled finger allowing lateral movement of the cap portion relative to the body portion.
 5. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 2 wherein the opposing side members include two latch members on each opposing side member.
 6. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 1 wherein the base includes a lip extending about a periphery of the base.
 7. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 6 wherein the bottom edges of the opposing front and rear members and opposing side members include a connection notch formed thereon receiving the lip of the base.
 8. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 1 wherein the front wall of the cap portion includes a surface extension formed on the lower edge.
 9. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 8 wherein the front member includes a cut out notch formed therein receiving the surface extension of the cap portion when the cap portion is in the locked position.
 10. A pyramidal receptacle comprising: a planar base; a body portion including separated angled members connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior, the separated angled members extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the body portion coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge, a cap portion including separated angled walls connected to each other at lateral edges and extending to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior, the separated angled walls extending from the apex to a lower edge, the lower edge including slide rails formed thereon; wherein the top edge of at least two opposing separated angled members includes guide channels formed thereon, wherein the slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and the proximal end of the slide rail including a guide block formed thereon received in the guide channels and moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions.
 11. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 10 wherein the top edge of at least two opposing separated angled members includes at least one latch member formed thereon, the latch member including a slide member attached to an interior surface of the angled members, the slide member slidingly engaging the slide rails when moved between locked and unlocked positions, the slide member extending from a proximal to a distal end, the distal end including a flexible angled latch finger formed thereon that releasably engages the slide rails of the cap portion when the cap portion is moved between locked and unlocked positions.
 12. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 11 wherein in the locked position the guide block is positioned laterally beyond the angled latch finger and a posterior surface of the guide block contacts the angled finger preventing lateral movement of the cap portion relative to the body portion in an unlocking direction.
 13. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 12 wherein in the locked position upon application of a downward force flexing the angled latch finger the posterior surface of the guide blocks does not engage the angled finger allowing lateral movement of the cap portion relative to the body portion.
 14. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 11 wherein the two opposing separated angled members include two latch members on each opposing side member.
 15. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 10 wherein one of the opposing separated angled walls includes a surface extension formed on the lower edge.
 16. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 15 wherein one of the opposing separated members includes a cut out notch formed therein receiving the surface extension when the cap portion is in the locked position.
 17. A pyramidal receptacle comprising: a planar base; a body portion including separated angled members connected to each other at lateral edges defining a truncated pyramid having a hollow interior, the separated angled members extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the body portion coupled to the planar base at the bottom edge, the top edge of at least two opposing separated angled members includes at least one latch member formed thereon, the latch member including a slide member attached to an interior surface of the angled members, the slide member extending from a proximal to a distal end, the distal end including a flexible angled latch finger formed thereon a cap portion including separated angled walls connected to each other at lateral edges and extending to an apex defining a pyramid having a hollow interior, the separated angled walls extending from the apex to a lower edge, the lower edge including slide rails formed thereon; wherein the top edge of at least two opposing separated angled members includes guide channels formed thereon, wherein the slide rails extend from proximal to distal ends and the proximal end of the slide rail including a guide block formed thereon received in the guide channels and moveable laterally between locked and unlocked positions wherein, the slide member slidingly engaging the slide rails when moved between locked and unlocked positions and the angled latch finger releasably engages the slide rails of the cap portion when the cap portion is moved between locked and unlocked positions.
 18. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 17 wherein in the locked position the guide block is positioned laterally beyond the angled latch finger and a posterior surface of the guide block contacts the angled finger preventing lateral movement of the cap portion relative to the body portion in an unlocking direction.
 19. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 18 wherein in the locked position upon application of a downward force flexing the angled latch finger the posterior surface of the guide blocks does not engage the angled finger allowing lateral movement of the cap portion relative to the body portion.
 20. The pyramidal receptacle of claim 17 wherein one of the opposing separated angled walls includes a surface extension formed on the lower edge and one of the opposing separated members includes a cut out notch formed therein receiving the surface extension when the cap portion is in the locked position. 